More than 60 companies, organisations and investors have signed an open letter to the European Commission calling on President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured above) to fully support the development of geothermal energy as a viable way of strengthening the bloc's energy security.
Sent by the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) to coincide with publication next month of the European Geothermal Action Plan, the letter calls on the EC and Member States "to lead the geothermal revolution".
"Europe faces yet another grave energy crisis. Still reliant on fossil fuel imports vulnerable to supply disruption, Europe urgently needs to strengthen its energy security and decarbonise, all the while lowering energy prices for citizens and industry, and meeting growing electricity demand. The only way out of this predicament is to rapidly deploy domestic clean electricity and heat," the letter states.
Europe faces yet another grave energy crisis.
The EGEC, a not-for-profit organisation of more than 200 members from 30 countries, urges the EC and Member States to follow the geothermal position taken by the U.S and China to invest or "risk continued fossil dependence, loss of industrial leadership, and miss another strategic window to scale clean industry".
While the EC is set to publish its strategy in May, the letter's signatories are sceptical, believing the plan will "fail to kick-start a significant market, and leave geothermal treated as a secondary priority".
"We urgently call on the Commission to significantly strengthen the ambition of this plan, demonstrate its political determination to prioritise this," the letter states.
Among a list of measures, the 62 signatories call on policy makers to provide "clear and substantial funding" for early-stage exploration and drilling, including first-of-a-kind projects. Other measures include clean heat and power auctions, corporate PPAs and heat purchase agreements, accelerated permits, and the setting up of European Geothermal Industry Alliance to fast-track and scale-up the industry.
The open letter was sent to EC President Von der Leyen, Commissioner Jørgensen, Commissioner Hoekstra, Commissioner Ribera, and Commissioner Séjourné. All Heads of State, and European Council President António Costa were cc'd.
